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Anabaptist / Mennonite vs. Church of Christ

A side-by-side comparison of Anabaptist / Mennonite and Church of Christ teaching on 16 questions, from Scripture and salvation to baptism, communion and church government.

Anabaptist / Mennonite

The Anabaptists began in Zurich in 1525 and spread to Germany and the Netherlands as the “radical” wing of the Reformation. Mennonites, the Amish and the Hutterites descend from them. They stress adult baptism, following the Sermon on the Mount, and separation of church and state.

Church of Christ

The Churches of Christ come from the American Restoration Movement of the early 1800s, which sought to return to the pattern of the New Testament church. Congregations are independent, and they are known for weekly communion and unaccompanied singing.

At a glance

Where they differ: How a person is saved; Baptism; The Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts.

Varies within one or both: Clergy and women in ministry.

Where they agree: Authority: Scripture and tradition; Books of the Bible; The Trinity; Can a saved person fall away?; Predestination and free will; Communion (the Lord’s Supper); Sacraments or ordinances; Church government; Mary and the saints; Death, purgatory and hell; Style of worship; Day of worship.

Side by side

Question	Anabaptist / Mennonite	Church of Christ
Authority: Scripture and traditionAgree	Scripture is the authority, read together by the congregation with special weight on the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels, especially the Sermon on the Mount.	The New Testament is the pattern for worship and church life. Practices are expected to be supported by a command, an example or a necessary inference from Scripture.
Books of the BibleAgree	66 books.	66 books.
The TrinityAgree	One God in three persons. Early Anabaptists were not uniform, but the Mennonite confessions are Trinitarian.	One God in three persons. Churches of Christ have no written creed and rest the belief directly on Scripture.
How a person is savedDiffer	Saved by grace through faith. Faith is expected to show itself in obedience and discipleship, and baptism marks a conscious commitment to follow Christ.	Saved by grace, received through faith that includes repentance, confession of Christ and baptism. Baptism is taught as the point at which sins are forgiven, and faith is understood as active obedience.
Can a saved person fall away?Agree	Generally yes. Mennonite teaching holds that faith must be lived out and that a person can turn away, though God is patient with those who return.	Yes. A Christian who lives in sin without repenting can fall away, and Churches of Christ point to warnings such as Hebrews 6 and 10.
Predestination and free willAgree	Emphasizes free will and a personal decision to follow Christ. Anabaptists rejected Calvinist predestination from the start.	Rejects Calvinist predestination. God offers salvation to all and each person must choose to obey the gospel.
BaptismDiffer	Baptism is given only to those who make a mature confession of faith. The mode varies (pouring or immersion), and infant baptism is rejected. The name “Anabaptist” means “rebaptizer.”	Immersion of a believer for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Baptism is taught as necessary for salvation, and infant baptism is rejected.
Communion (the Lord’s Supper)Agree	A memorial meal and a sign of the unity of the congregation. Some groups pair it with foot washing.	A memorial observed every Sunday, since Acts 20:7 is taken to show the pattern of the early church. The elements are symbols.
Sacraments or ordinancesAgree	Two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Many groups also practice foot washing.	Two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Church governmentAgree	Local congregations decide matters together and select their own ministers. Some groups have regional conferences and bishops with a limited role.	Each congregation is fully autonomous and is led by a group of elders (also called shepherds or overseers). There is no denominational headquarters.
Clergy and women in ministryVaries	Varies. Conservative groups reserve ministry for men, and more progressive Mennonite conferences ordain women.	Elders, preachers and public worship leaders are men. Women teach children and other women and take part in many other roles.
Mary and the saintsAgree	Mary is respected as Jesus’ mother, and the church emphasizes following Christ. There is no prayer to saints.	Mary is honored as the mother of Jesus. There is no prayer to saints, and no role for saints in worship.
Death, purgatory and hellAgree	Purgatory is rejected. Believers rest in Christ awaiting the resurrection, and the final judgment decides eternal destiny.	The dead await judgment in Hades, in comfort or in torment. After the resurrection the righteous enter heaven and the wicked face eternal punishment.
Style of worshipAgree	Simple worship centered on singing, Scripture and preaching. Many groups sing without instruments.	A simple service of singing, prayer, preaching, communion and giving. Most congregations sing without instruments.
The Holy Spirit and spiritual giftsDiffer	The Spirit is understood to guide the congregation in discernment and daily life. Miraculous gifts are not emphasized.	Generally teaches that miraculous gifts, such as tongues and healing, ended with the apostolic age. The Spirit is understood to work through the written Word.
Day of worshipAgree	Sunday.	Sunday, the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
Best known for	Peace witness and refusal of violence, adult baptism, simple living, mutual aid and service through relief organizations.	Weekly communion, unaccompanied singing, believer’s baptism for forgiveness and a determination to follow the New Testament pattern.

“Agree” means the two traditions take the same broad position, although the wording above may still note finer differences. “Varies” means at least one of the two is itself divided on the question, so no single position can be given. These summaries describe typical teaching, and individual churches may vary. For an authoritative statement, consult each denomination’s own confessions.

Anabaptist / Mennonite vs. Church of Christ